Here we all are at the end of the year. Many of us are looking forward (maybe with some anxiety) to reaching a fundraising goal by December 31st, looking back and reflecting on the ups and downs of the last 11 months, looking around and finding friends and loved ones we may have missed for a while.
You all have made this an excellent year for our network of changemakers at the AFP Fort Worth Metro Chapter. 2022 featured a strong return to an in-person DFW Philanthropy Conference with local leadership from Chris Evans and great support from past chair and VP of Professional Development Renée Underwood; an excellent turnout for a moving National Philanthropy Day Luncheon spearheaded by Sarah Barrera, Wendy Lee, Emily Nance; deeply engaging programs coordinated by Brandon Nelson and Barbara Clark-Galupi, with a particularly memorable program by our IDEA committee with Liz Hammond and Karen Perry at the helm. Rand Otten, Victoria Bittmenn and Fred Schmidt took our communications strategy to the next level (you are following us on Facebook and LinkedIn, right?).
New members joined, familiar faces returned, and our student fellowship program stayed strong thanks to Luke Byford, Peyton Salavarria Lehrer and Jessica Walsh. Ryan Britt and Trey Harper re-established our Peer Learning program, Michelle Crim and Kathryn Keaton kept an eye on our historical records and Nathaniel Aranda kept an eye on AFP Global’s programs. Our executive team, Cathy Sheffield, Hillary Bessinger, Michele Eischeid and Wendy Gilbert kept us moving forward strategically and fiscally as we navigated the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and kept apprised of AFP Global’s adaptations.
I am so grateful to this dedicated, working board of volunteer leaders, to our 200+ dynamic members, and, always, our graceful and brilliant Chapter Administrator James Nicholson.
Looking ahead, I can’t wait to welcome new members to your board of directors: Jewel Conner and Becky Williams (and we still have a few roles, for those interested in serving).
We’ll see all of you at Taste Project on December 12 for a fun afternoon of connecting and reflecting!
Wesley Gentle, CFRE
AFP Fort Worth Metro Chapter President
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